Jail commander named in investigation to retire

Wednesday

May 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMMay 30, 2012 at 6:57 PM

A Franklin County jail commander whose leadership was questioned during an investigation into the condition of a jail cell where an inmate died last year has decided to retire. Maj. Douglas Edgington, 52, has been with the sheriff's office for more than 30 years. He has served as the commander of the Franklin County Corrections Center 2, on Jackson Pike, for two years.

Josh Jarman, The Columbus Dispatch

A Franklin County jail commander whose leadership was questioned during an investigation into the condition of a jail cell where an inmate died last year has decided to retire.

Maj. Douglas Edgington, 52, has been with the sheriff’s office for more than 30 years. He has served as the commander of the Franklin County Corrections Center 2, on Jackson Pike, for two years.

Sheriff Zach Scott said this afternoon that Edgington had submitted a letter of resignation and retirement. His last day will be Friday.

Edgington’s leadership was questioned during a lengthy internal investigation into the death of 48-year-old Edward Peterson on Sept. 4. Peterson suffered from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, Franklin County Coroner Jan Gorniak said, and his manner of death is listed as natural.

When his body was discovered, Peterson’s cell was in a state of disarray, including being filled with trash and feces.

Reached by phone this afternoon, Edgington said his decision to retire was driven by the coming changes to the state's retirement system as well as a desire to not be a distraction for the sheriff's office.

He said when it became clear that the investigation and subsequent news reports would be used as fodder in the upcoming sheriff's race, he decided to step aside so as not to make the situation any more difficult for his subordinates.

"Clearly it's an issue as far as the media is concerned," Edgington said. "I have no desire to be a distraction to the people who rely on me for leadership."

After the investigation became public, a message from former Maj. Mike Herrell, the republican candidate running against Scott in the fall election, was sent to reporters blasting Scott's leadership in the wake of the report's findings.

Edgington said the retirement was his idea, and would give him a chance to pursue other dreams, such as finishing his master's degree, learning a few languages and perhaps taking up flying. He said he has had a rewarding career and did not feel like he was leaving the office under a cloud.

"I didn't do anything wrong, but it happened on my watch" Edgington said. "It affects the efficiency of the office."

Some 52 deputies and supervisors were recommended for discipline after the investigation, which was made public earlier this month. Most of the recommendations were for deputies who failed to check cells on their rounds or failed to report the conditions in Peterson's cell. Findings against supervisors, including Edgington, noted that they were in command of people who failed in their duties and did not take action.

The rest of the officers mentioned in the report still are going through the pre-disciplinary hearing process, Scott said, and no decisions have been made about what consequences they’ll face.

He previously said that the discipline could range from letters of reprimand to terminations.

Scott said that for the first time the office will require leadership tests for applicants for the majors’ position in both jails.

He said Maj. Stephanie Klumpp, commander of Downtown’s main jail since last June, also has decided to retire, and will serve through July 1. He said Klumpp’s decision was driven by looming changes to the state’s retirement system for public employees.

Chief Deputy Mark Barrett will oversee operations at the main jail, and Klumpp the operations at the Jackson Pike facility, until the two positions can be filled, Scott said.

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